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Well the government shutdown is over and thankfully our public servants can return to work. This wasn’t the kind of workplace blip because of a change in career or starting a business. This was a standstill that was out of their control. It’s wild how some elected officials try to take credit for them going back to work.

Then there’s the Kanye West lawsuit recently claiming he was the reason for the successful rebooting of Jay-Z’s career. But a more exciting story is the Big Brother TV appearance by Tamar Braxton and SAG Awards appearance by Geoffrey Owens. They’re getting lots of love from fans for their comeback stories.

Braxton and Owens get real about passion, pain, fame as they rebound in their careers. For Braxton it’s about doing a brand reset from her time on the daytime TV show The Real. For Owens it’s more like a career reboot, after working at a food retail chain to make ends meet when his acting gigs dried up.

They’ve been through some moments that brought pain along the way. But even through those times they kept thinking about their passion for music and acting. They know how fame can have a way of ‘spitting you out’ from pop culture circles. But now they’re ready for their Act II as they refresh their showbiz feed.

Owens was part of a SAG Awards feature by sharing highlights from his career story. He ended his comments with the words ‘I am an Actor!” If Braxton had to do something similar, she’d probably end with the words “I am an Entertain-her.” Their advice on career reboot or brand reset might also include:

Create your lane

Braxton started out in the music business with her sisters before becoming a solo artist. She’s part of the Braxton Family Values reality show and even had a spinoff with her own show. Her success has meant being creative in a certain lane. And when there’s room to grow, going further by creating her own lane.

Concentrate your skills

Owens spent time in the shadows of Hollywood when he had no roles. But as things went viral after being spotted working at a food store, he’s now in a different place. Acting gigs started opening up with a recurring role on a Tyler Perry produced show. So he’s able to concentrate his skills and pay the bills.

Collaborate your efforts

Her music career is on the comeback with a new album release on the way. Part of what she might have learned from her time at The Real is how to collaborate her efforts. Even as a solo artist she still has to work with producers, promoters and influencers. That’ll help her project go from studio grade to platinum.

Circulate your work

Owens might have agreed to do the Sag Awards feature to show appreciation for getting a second chance. But it might also be a good place to circulate his work. Meantime, Braxton’s appearance on Big Brother gives her the chance to do the same. She’s got fans voting for her in the publicist challenge.

Even in business the idea of a reboot, reset or refresh happens when companies says they’re ready for a do-over. Braxton and Owens are doing what it takes to keep the comeback wheels turning. They’ll have a new attitude and passion at work. They’ll be networking with peers and putting the career pieces together.

Tip: When you’re creative in your lane it opens the door for creating your own lane and taking things to the next level.

Talkback: Who’s ready to give Braxton and Owens credit for their brand reset and career reboot?

Wow, where did the summer go? It seems like yesterday that we were looking forward to being beach bums. With the Labor Day holiday behind us, it brings the unofficial end to the season of bikini bottoms and tank tops. While things might be winding down in one sense, it’s like back-to-the-grind in another.

When it comes to the tennis court Serena Williams returned to the game earlier this year after giving birth. She hopes to find championship form again. Tyler Perry did his Aretha tribute and offered Geoffrey Owens from Cosby Show fame, a chance to work at his studio. Owens has been hustling on-the-regular while hoping to do more acting gigs.

Beyond the baby feedings and series tapings, Williams and Perry show they’ve got ‘hustle love’ for money moves and making the daily grind matter. Every work situation has some ins & outs that come with the job. Plus there’re other things at play that might involve money, status & legacy.

Owens was surprised about all the attention he got in the news after being spotted working at a retail chain. He’s somewhat puzzled at how the dignity of work is being turned into ‘job shaming.’ That’s probably something Colin Kaepernick can relate to from not playing NFL football last season.

Whether it’s getting past ‘mom shaming,’ ‘job shaming’ or ‘issue shaming’ Williams and Perry are still making the daily grind matter. They’re taking care of business and the needs of family. Their ‘hustle love’ lessons remind us of what it means to ‘act like a player and think like a brand.’ It’s in how we manage:

Career jumps vs hustle moves

Years ago a workforce survey said that the 21st century worker will have difference job responsibilities across different careers during their working lifetime. That means that success isn’t always about vertical moves but sometimes horizontal moves. A side hustle can be your ticket to the big time.

Job shifts vs status updates

With Serena being off the circuit for a year or so her tennis ranking took a hit. Now she’s trying to work her way back to #1. Owens has been off the radar as well. In these days of social media status updates no one even knew. So a job shift from Perry that allows Owens to level-up his game is a good status update to have.

Vocation choices vs social places

Serena as a Brand Ambassador for Nike kinda has her own line of gear. She uses her celebrity status as a positive role model in many circles. She’s even included in the 50th-year anniversary campaign with video clips from her days in Compton. Her vocation choices put her in social places that’s heart-felt.

Life-assignments vs lifestyles

Not many jobs are a lifetime assignment. Plus the marketplace often has a ‘window of exposure’ that comes with the territory. Even as things change for Owens or others in the workforce or pro sports, it’s usually about going from job to career to vocation. We get to grow our game and raise our lifestyles.

Williams gets a lot out of her game and makes a living doing so. Perry gives a lot of his resources and makes a life for himself and others. Whether it’s about their brand or lifestyle they get the chance to drink to that. So we all can prove our worth and give it all we’ve got with ‘hustle love’ to make it happen.

Tip: Sometimes getting back-to-the-grind needs a fresh dose of ‘hustle love’ in order to make it happen where you have the chance to ‘drink to that’ as a work-in-progress.

Talkback: What’s it about Tyler’s work or Serena’s play that inspire us to make it happen?